MARS: A 3D spectroscopic x-ray imaging device based on Medipix

A spectroscopic x-ray CT scanner, providing both spatial and energy resolution was built. Tomographic datasets from mice have been acquired to evaluate the potential benefits of spectroscopic imaging in biomedical applications. Purpose The aim of our work was to construct an x-ray CT scanner capable of acquiring a 3D dataset in multiple energy bins. Since it provides spatial and energy resolution at the same time, the device is refered to as MARS (Medipix All Resolution System). Groups within the Medipix collaboration (i.e. [1]) as well as suppliers of medical x-ray systems [2] have worked on reconstructing the material composition from radiographs. Our scanner will enable to further enhance these techniques with the availability of tomographic images. Setup The scanner combines a micro focus x-ray tube with the Medipix-2 detector developed at CERN. The micro focus tube and high voltage generator are assembled on one side of the gantry. On the opposite side, a Medipix-2 quad is placed. Both rotate 360 degrees around the object, which i